Ali Amin Gandapur, a prominent leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and perhaps the next Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), has opted out of joining the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC).
Instead, he has chosen to contest independently for the top provincial post, backed by PTI members aligned with the SIC, as reported by The News on Monday.
Following general elections, independent winners supported by PTI from KP have affiliated themselves with the SIC to secure designated seats for women and religious minority representatives.
However, Gandapur, who secured victory from Dera Ismail Khan, will pursue the PTI’s provincial presidency and is actively involved in the party’s intra-party elections scheduled for March 3, having submitted his nomination papers accordingly.
In parallel, Ali Asghar, another PTI member, has submitted his papers for the position of provincial general secretary, while Aqibullah Khan, nominated by PTI and the brother of senior leader Asad Qaiser, will compete for a KP Assembly office position under the SIC banner.
The announcement of KP cabinet members is pending final approval from PTI’s founding chairman, Imran Khan, following extensive consultations. Additionally, the PTI is deliberating over several candidates for the deputy speaker position, with the chosen individual’s identity expected to be disclosed imminently.
On the opposition front, parties have resolved not to concede ground to PTI and have declared intentions to nominate candidates for chief minister, speaker, and deputy speaker roles. The opposition plans to finalize consensus candidates following an imminent meeting.
Abdul Jalil Jan, the spokesperson for Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F), confirmed that neither Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) nor Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have initiated talks with their party regarding the election of KP Assembly officials.
With the inaugural session of the KP Assembly scheduled for February 28, the assembly will witness the swearing-in of newly elected members, followed by the election of the speaker, deputy speaker, and chief minister.
Meanwhile, Ali Amin Gandapur expressed his commitment to democratic principles and serving the people during interactions with elected members, party workers, and various stakeholders.
He expressed these views during meetings with the members-elect of the national and provincial assemblies, party workers and people from different walks of life, including scholars and lawyers, at the Speaker’s House.
Gandapur spoke about improving the province’s law and order situation as well as adding health cards, langar khana, shelter homes and police reforms would be restored. He said that the people would be provided with a uniform education system, while the lack of resources would not be a hurdle in the completion of this great mission.
